And Soon the Darkness

And Soon the Darkness

Year: 1970

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Robert Fuest

MysteryHorrorThrillerHorror

Inspired by Hitchcock’s suspense, the film follows two young English women cycling through the French countryside. When one disappears, the remaining friend launches a frantic search, confronting unsettling clues and questioning everyone around her as trust becomes a deadly gamble.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen And Soon the Darkness yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – And Soon the Darkness (1970)

Explore the full timeline and setting of And Soon the Darkness (1970). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

France (rural countryside)

Two young nurses embark on a cycling holiday through the rural French countryside, passing farmland, small villages, and a cemetery. The setting shifts from sunlit roads to shadowy woods and an abandoned trailer park, creating a claustrophobic sense of isolation. The landscape amplifies the tension as danger hides in ordinary places along quiet roads and roadside cafes.

🌍 France 🌳 Countryside 🧭 Travel 🏚️ Village Life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:40

Main Characters – And Soon the Darkness (1970)

Meet the key characters of And Soon the Darkness (1970), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jane (Pamela Franklin)

A determined nurse who leads the search for Cathy after their separation. She navigates suspicion, danger, and the consequences of keeping secrets as she tries to piece together what happened. Her resolve drives the investigation and the final confrontation.

🧭 Protagonist 🗺️ Traveler 🔎 Determined

Cathy (Michele Dotrice)

The other nurse who is left behind and later found murdered. She embodies the vulnerability of travelers in an unfamiliar landscape and becomes the tragic catalyst for the investigation. Her disappearance exposes the dangers lurking in quiet rural spaces.

🧭 Companion 🕵️‍♀️ Victim ⚠️ Vulnerable

Paul (Sandor Elès)

A man who appears to help Jane but harbors his own motives and knows the case. He searches for Cathy and reveals information that complicates the truth. He survives long enough to assist in the final moments, though his allegiance remains ambiguous.

🕵️‍♂️ Mysterious 🔎 Ally ⚔️ Ambivalent

Gendarme (John Nettleton)

A local authority figure who proves to be the killer, turning the pursuit into a dangerous trap. He assaults Jane and embodies the film’s critique of corruption and abuse of power. His defeat comes through a last-minute intervention.

🗡️ Antagonist 🛡️ Authority 🩸 Villain

Schoolmistress (Clare Kelly)

An English schoolmistress who mentions the unsolved murder, adding historical weight to the mystery. She represents a link to past crimes and the societal pressure surrounding the case. Her warning and information fuel Jane’s search.

🕰️ Historian 🗣️ Informant 🏫 Educator

Madame Lassal (Hana Maria Pravda)

The owner of the roadside cafe who hints at danger and urges Jane to leave. She provides local flavor and a cautious perspective on the unfolding events. Her interactions highlight the mistrustful and protective attitudes of rural hosts.

🍽️ Local 🗺️ Informant 🧭 Host

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:40

Major Themes – And Soon the Darkness (1970)

Explore the central themes of And Soon the Darkness (1970), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌫️ Isolation

The film uses remote lanes and sparse villages to heighten fear, making help feel distant or unreliable. The women are cut off from immediate assistance as they navigate unfamiliar terrain and suspicious locals. Isolation turns a routine journey into a perilous pursuit where the landscape itself becomes a palpable threat.

🔎 Investigation

With Cathy missing, Jane begins piecing together what happened by questioning locals and following vague clues. The presence of a man who seems to know the case adds ambiguity about motive and truth. Trust and deception braid together as Jane sifts through conflicting information.

💪 Survival

Jane fights to stay alive and uncover the fate of Cathy, sustaining the pursuit despite danger. The narrative builds to a confrontation that tests her resolve against a corrupted authority. The final moments hinge on resilience and quick action to outmaneuver the threat.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:40

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Vacation Thrillers and Foreign Travel Nightmares like And Soon the Darkness

The terror of being a vulnerable outsider in a strange and hostile land.If you enjoyed the tense atmosphere of And Soon the Darkness, explore more movies about travel nightmares. These films feature protagonists on holiday who find their dream trips turning into harrowing fights for survival, often in isolated or foreign locations where trust is a luxury they can't afford.

anxiousparanoidsinisterlonelyoppressivesuspensefulterrifying journey

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a sense of adventure or escape, quickly shattering when a character goes missing, is targeted, or stumbles into a local conspiracy. The plot follows a frantic search or escape attempt, leveraging the protagonist's vulnerability as an outsider to build claustrophobic tension.

Why These Movies?

They share a core premise of paradise lost, focusing on the visceral fear of isolation and the breakdown of safety in a foreign environment. The mood is consistently anxious and paranoid, driven by the universal fear of being helpless far from home.

Suspenseful Small Town Mysteries like And Soon the Darkness

A lone investigator uncovers dark truths where no one can be trusted.Fans of the claustrophobic suspense in And Soon the Darkness will appreciate these paranoid investigation thrillers. Discover movies where a lone protagonist, often an outsider, searches for the truth in a hostile rural town where the community's secrets are more dangerous than they appear.

tensesuspensefulsinistermistrustoppressiveclaustrophobicinvestigationrural dread

Narrative Summary

The narrative unfolds as the protagonist methodically gathers clues, but each discovery deepens the mystery and increases their peril. The structure relies on red herrings and shifting suspicions, making the audience question the motives of every character. The setting itself becomes an antagonist, isolating the hero.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their masterful use of tension built from pervasive mistrust and a claustrophobic setting. They deliver a consistent experience of psychological unease, where the central mystery is compounded by the fear of who is friend or foe.

Unlock the Full Story of And Soon the Darkness

Don't stop at just watching — explore And Soon the Darkness in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what And Soon the Darkness is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

And Soon the Darkness Summary

Read a complete plot summary of And Soon the Darkness, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

And Soon the Darkness Summary

And Soon the Darkness Timeline

Track the full timeline of And Soon the Darkness with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

And Soon the Darkness Timeline

And Soon the Darkness Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of And Soon the Darkness that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

And Soon the Darkness Spoiler-Free Summary

More About And Soon the Darkness

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about And Soon the Darkness: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About And Soon the Darkness

Similar Movies to And Soon the Darkness

Discover movies like And Soon the Darkness that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.